COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2014 PRESEASON TOP 25

#108 Troy Trojans

NATIONAL FORECAST

#108

Sun Belt PREDICTION

#4

The 2014 college football season starts on Aug. 27 and continues into mid-January with the first edition of the four-team playoff. Athlon Sports is counting down until kickoff with projections and previews for all 128 FBS teams. Here is our team preview for No. 108 Troy.

Previewing Troy’s Offense for 2014

The Trojans are solid and experienced on offense — except at the trigger, where that vital role falls to one of several unknown quantities. Corey Robinson, one of four players in NCAA history with four 3,000-yard passing seasons, could be replaced by returning third-teamer Dallas Tidwell (19 pass attempts in two seasons) or redshirt freshman Brandon Silvers. Troy also signed junior college transfers Dontreal Pruitt and Connor Bravard in January. The position remains up for grabs heading into preseason camp.

Whoever winds up at quarterback will be surrounded by skilled veterans from the Sun Belt’s top scoring team in 2013. Junior Brandon Burks ran for 675 yards and sophomore Jordan Chunn for 514 last year, with Chunn finding the end zone 14 times to lead the nation’s freshman running backs.

Even though Sun Belt career touchdown catch leader Eric Thomas is gone, the wide receiver group boasts big numbers. Junior Bryan Holmes tied for third nationally with five catches of more than 50 yards to go with seven scores. Senior B.J. Chitty split time with Holmes in the spring and has 59 career grabs.

Speedy senior Chandler Worthy moves from an inside slot to the outside after catching two touchdown passes last year, and K.D. Edenfield, son of offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield, takes over at one inside slot.

The Trojans’ deepest position offensively is up front, even though the three returning starters were sidelined with injuries for spring drills. All-Sun Belt right tackle Terrence Jones anchors the group. Dalton Bennett played right guard and left tackle last year but is in a battle with Caleb Carbine at center. Troy, which gets a boost from Ole Miss transfer Ethan Hutson at guard, allowed only 19 sacks on 483 pass attempts last season.

Previewing Troy’s Defense for 2014

As potent as Troy’s offense was, its defense was just as porous last season. The Trojans were last in the league in total defense (483.2 ypg) and scoring defense (35.9 ppg), and now they have to replace three of their starting front four. Only junior end Tyler Roberts, who led the down linemen in tackles and had 5.5 sacks, returns. In search of immediate help, the staff signed four junior college defensive linemen in February.

The outlook is better behind that group, with senior starters Mark Wilson and Wayland Coleman-Dancer back at the two linebacker slots. Wilson has 16 starts in two seasons and 102 career tackles.

Troy’s secondary had only six interceptions as a group last season while allowing 313.6 pass yards per game, and that unit needs improvement from cornerbacks Ethan Davis, Chris Davis and Keion Payne after they combined to start 24 games last year. Veteran Jeremy Spikner returns at nickel back, but the safeties will be untested.

Previewing Troy’s Specialists for 2014

Graduated Will Scott handled punting and kicking last year. Those tasks now fall to sophomore punter Ryan Kay and junior placekicker Jed Solomon. Holmes, who averaged 20.6 yards after taking over as punt returner in the final four games, is a threat at both return positions.

Final Analysis

Troy’s offense kept things close last season — the Trojans lost 41–36 and 41–34 to Sun Belt co-champions UL Lafayette and Arkansas State, respectively — but the defense couldn’t get key stops in a 6–6 season. Troy’s three straight non-winning seasons are a first in revered coach Larry Blakeney’s 24-year career, and the weight of snapping that streak falls on the shoulders of untested quarterbacks. The Trojans loaded up on junior college talent to shore up the defense, but that group’s ability to mesh and finding a leader for a potentially dangerous offense remain huge questions.

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